Parent Lending Libraries

Through the generosity of grants and sponsorships, libraries are being placed at childcare
centers to allow parents to conveniently borrow books to read with their child every day.
This encourages the early literacy skills that prepare children to enter school ready to
succeed.

The first Parent Lending Library was placed in 2004. There are now 120 Parent Lending
Libraries in Polk and Hardee counties. Major sponsors have included Verizon Reads, Early
Learning Coalition of Polk County, Heartland for Children, Polk County CDBG, and Winter
Haven CDBG. Parents borrowed over 30,000 books last year and over 3,590 kids had access each
month!

Itzmaris Ramos and Facility Dog, Dublin O'Sullivan, are getting ready to share a Dr. Seuss
book from the Parent Lending Library at Our Children's Academy. The fifth graders are
currently acting as librarians, including checking the books in and out for the other
students.